your forearms contain flexor muscles that allow you to bend your fingers long cord-like structures called tendons connect these muscles to the bones in your fingers and thumb a tunnel of tissue called a tendon sheath surrounds each tendon this allows the tendon to glide smoothly as the fingers move the sheath is held in place by bands of tissue called pulleys they hold the tendon close to the bone for optimal functioning of the tendon when your flexor muscles contract the pulleys help guide the tendons to flex or bend your fingers normally the tendons glide smoothly through the pulleys when the fingers flex and extend trigger finger also known as trigger thumb or stenosing tenosynovitis is a condition where the pulley at the base of your finger becomes inflamed and swollen this makes it harder for the tendon to move through the pulley over time the tendon may also swell and form a bump near the pulley when you bend your finger the swollen area on the tendon may cause a catching or triggering sensation as it initially gets hung on the pulley and then slips underneath if not treated the tendon may swell enough that it cannot pass beneath the pulley as a result your finger may get stuck in a bent position if you have trigger finger you may have one or more of the following symptoms a tender lump on your palm at the base of your finger a catching popping or locking sensation when you move your finger and pain when you bend or straighten your finger the cause of trigger finger isn't known but some conditions that can increase your risk for it include diabetes rheumatoid arthritis gout and repeated injuries forceful and repetitive hand gripping may also increase your risk to treat mild trigger finger your doctor may advise you to rest your hand and avoid activities that make it worse your doctor may prescribe anti-inflammatory medication or a corticosteroid injection to reduce the swelling you may also need to wear a finger splint to keep your fingers straight if non-surgical treatments haven't worked your doctor may advise you to have a surgical procedure to start the procedure your surgeon will make a small incision in your palm then the pulley will be cut to free the tendon at the end of the procedure your incision may be closed with stitches and covered with a soft bandage to find out more about trigger finger talk to your healthcare provider